Dar Es Salaam can be roughly translated in Arabic as Haven of Peace, and it has no trouble in living up to its name, says Chris Bowden

Built around a beautiful natural harbour, the city used to play host to the holiday home of the Sultan of Zanzibar, but now exists as the economic heart of Tanzania. A regional hub for transport and trade, the city boasts a beautiful and ever changing skyline, and a population so friendly you need never feel ill at ease.

Thanks to increased investment, and a slightly more realistic economic ideology, Tanzania, and Dar Es Salaam in particular is now reaping the benefits of mounting development.

The old town remains a wonderful city to negotiate, sunkissed on an almost permanent basis, with a plethora of accommodation options, and numerous attractions. One thing to look out for are the various exhibitions put on on a random basis showcasing the impressive Tanzanian Arts scene, a scene unrivalled across the region.

To the north of the town is the wonderfully affluent Msasani Peninsula, which at the time of independence, even attempted to declare itself an independent republic. Now it is a gem in the crown of Dar Es Salaam, and hosts numerous nightclubs, bars and the very Westernised Slipway shopping complex, where once can eat some of the best Sushi in East Africa…

Dar Es Salaam is also the base for getting to Zanzibar, and for exploring the interior of Tanzania. One recommendation: get the sleeper train down to Mbeya in the south of the county - it takes the best part of two days, and routes through the Selous National Park, giving you an almost free safari as part of your trip!